December 3, 2024

God Makes Somebodys Out of Us Nobodys–Christmas Miracles, Part 1

As we kick off this Advent/Christmas season, it’s refreshing to know that the Bible is full of nobodys like me. God loves to make somebodys out of nobodys.

Four amazing “somebodys” I had never really noticed are only mentioned in the Gospel of Luke 2 story of Jesus’ birth–  Simeon, Anna, the Shepherds and the Inn-Keeper.

We will focus next week’s whole message on the shepherds. Earlier in Luke 2,  the Lord transformed “nobody shepherds” into “somebody shepherds” as they were the first witnesses of Jesus’ birth. They spread the word of seeing Jesus, “and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” (Luke 2:18)

In Biblical times, the shepherds were considered outcasts. I love that God gave voices to the voiceless. He still does.

A few verses later, 40 days after the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple for His purification. Enter another nobody named Simeon…

“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

‘Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’  Luke 2:25-32

Go Simeon! What a courageous, anointed man! The passage goes on to say that Mary and Joseph marveled at what Simeon said about Jesus. These verses are the only time Simeon is mentioned. What an impact he made on God’s Kingdom.

Then another nobody named Anna enters the Luke 2 stage:

“There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” –Luke 2: 36-38. 

Wow, Anna! What an amazing example. What a leader. What a somebody.

It’s exciting to look at a few common traits, I believe, between the nobodys God transforms into somebodys–the shepherds, Simeon, Anna, and so many others in the Bible. All these “nobodys” wholeheartedly display that they are:

  1. Available to be used by God
  2. Attuned to the Holy Spirit
  3. Agile–Age is not an excuse
  4. Humble

Each one of these traits is a high calling. I pray to embody more of each. It’s a journey. I’m no expert. Here is what I believe to be true about each trait:

  1. Available to be used by God: God wants our availability, not our abilities. Like Simeon and Anna, they were in the temple waiting on baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Even the shepherds “hurried off” and found Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus in the manger. They were flexible and available. May we be ready for God’s service, saying, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10).
  2. Attuned to the Holy Spirit: Simeon was “righteous and devout.” Three times in slightly more than a verse the Bible mentions how the “Holy Spirit was upon him.” How do we get more attuned with the Holy Spirit? The short answer is to pray and fast, like Anna did; to spend time in God’s Word “listening” to God speak and answer us; worship regularly in a Christ-centered church; and to live a life of integrity. It seems like a tall order. That’s what grace is all about, at least in my life. 🙂
  3. Agile–Age is not an excuse: Whether you are five years old or “very old” like Anna, we can be used by God. Simeon was also older because the passage said the Holy Spirit said he wouldn’t die before seeing the Lord’s Christ. Nowhere in the Bible does it talk about spiritual retirement. Whatever your age, whatever God calls you to do, He will equip you. No excuses.
  4. Humble–Each effective person in the Bible and in today’s world who is the most effective leader embodies humility. Simeon prayed “now dismiss your servant in peace” (Luke 2:29b). Anna “gave thanks to God and spoke to all about the child” (Luke 2:38). They decreased as God increased (John 3:30).  Please, Lord, I pray daily to decrease as You increase.

May we be encouraged that God can use each of us for His service. As the old Christian song says, “I’m just a nobody trying to tell everybody about the Somebody who can save anybody.”  Merry Christmas, Friend.

Reflect:

–Name other “nobodys” in the Bible and/or your life who God has transformed into “somebodys” for His glory. Please comment.

Renew:

–“…I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” –Ephesians 4:1-2.

Recharge:

–Which of the four common traits will you focus on this week? You are a somebody.

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November 3, 2024

What are the Saddest Words in the Bible and Seven Encouraging Ways for Overcoming Them?

It’s almost Election Day 2024, the most important Election Day in my lifetime. As I consider how divided our country seems to be, I am reminded of some of the saddest words in the Bible. Let’s talk about them, and I will prayerfully offer some encouragement to overcome those words.

The Jesus’ powerful Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 is one of my favorite passages in Scripture and definitely an excellent moral compass for us. At the end of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7, Jesus gives several profound messages, from “asking and it will be given to you” in Matthew 7:7,  The Golden Rule in Matthew 7:12, and the  Gate is narrow and the way hard that leads to life (heaven) in Matthew 7:13.

Then Jesus begins to talk  even tougher. He warns us of false prophets in Matthew 7:15-16, 19- 20

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits….Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” 

And then the Lord does a “mic drop” with this harsh Truth in Matthew 7:21-22  ““Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’

And here it comes… the saddest words from Jesus from Matthew 7:23…. “And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”  

Holy Moly! I don’t know about you, but my heart falls each time I read this.  Truly the saddest words from Jesus, I believe, in the Bible. So what can we do to bear fruit and not to hear those words that He never knew you or me and to depart from Him?

As we approach Election Day and the world seems to become darker and less Godly, we are living out these words daily. So how can we stay strong in our faith and deepen our relationship with Jesus, so He knows us well and we draw near to Him?

  1. Pray daily. Thank the Lord as you wake up, pray Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication (ACTS). Pray on your knees and even face down as we bow low with humility. “As we decrease, He increases.” –John 3:30
  2. Read daily in God’s Word. The Bible is my most prized possession. Each of the 66 books written are God-ordained and serve as our moral compass, our encouragement, our Comfort through the Power of the Holy Spirit, our plumb line, our standard of excellence.
  3. Surround yourself with a handful of deep, Godly leader friends who encourage you and hold you accountable. Find a few true mentors/friends of faith who stretch and convict you. They are your mirrors. Iron sharpens iron.
  4. Join and become an active member of a Bible-based, Holy Spirit-filled, healthy church family. Sadly, the Church is where so many will be found as false prophets and where the Lord will say “depart from me, I never knew you.” Ensure your Church aligns with scripture. Ensure your pastor is humble and points all sermons to the authority of the Bible and scripture, not opinions from himself. Ensure the focus is on the Great Commission of making disciples and Acts 1:8 of Missions and outreach.
  5. Spend as much time as you can serving and volunteering for Kingdom-building efforts. We are only given 168 hours in a week. Evaluate how you are spending your time? Is it playing a ton of golf, tennis or pickle ball? Is it watching a ton of Netflix or Hallmark Christmas movies?  (ouch)  Let’s be encouraged to reevaluate how we are spending our time on more mission-focused, faith-based ministries that are leading people to a closer walk with Jesus.
  6. Shine your light for Jesus! Let your light shine. Tell others about the saving faith in Jesus Christ. Let’s not be silent on letting others hear our testimonies and how Jesus saved our lives and is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
  7. Vote in a way that most closely aligns with Biblical values.  I pray you voted early. If you are waiting for Election Day, please vote for the Lamb in the way that most closely aligns with Biblical values with Judeo-Christian focus, pro-life (Psalm 139), pro-Israel (Genesis 12:1-3, Psalm 122:6, Zechariah 12:9 , capitalist economy (Matthew 25:14-30), and secure borders (Numbers 32:17).

These seven ways are only a few of the many ways for us to deepen our relationship with the Lord.

I pray to instead hear those precious words from the Lord, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:21)

I pray for revival in me, in each of us, and for our country and world, and for the Lord to know each of us deeply as His sons and daughters. Lord, thank you for blessing America. May America bless You, Lord.

October 29, 2024

Getting Back to Our Country’s Basics –Voting our Faith

As early voting is underway and Presidential Election Day 2024 approaches next week,  my heart is yearning for our country to get back to the basics and to unify. I pray for us to get back to our foundational basics of our deep-rooted Judeo-Christian values.

You may already know this, but I sure didn’t. Our first President George Washington had a deep faith. In fact, even after he was elected, his inauguration was bathed in prayer.

On April 6, 1789, following the ratification of the Constitution, George Washington was selected president; he accepted the position on April 14, 1789, and his inauguration was scheduled in New York City (the nation’s capitol) for April 30, 1789. A leading New York Daily newspaper reported on the planned inaugural:

On the morning of the day on which our illustrious President will be invested with his office, the bells will ring at nine o’clock, when the people may go up to the house of God and in a solemn manner commit the new government, with its important train of consequences, to the holy protection and blessing of the most high. An early hour is prudently fixed for this act of devotion and . . . is designed wholly for prayer. (New York Daily Advertiser, Thursday, April 23, 1789, p. 2)

Beautiful. Our country basically had a revival to prepare for our first President’s inauguration.

On April 27, three days before the inauguration, the Senate resolved:

…That after the oath shall have been administered to the President, he, attended by the Vice President and members of the Senate and House of Representatives, shall proceed to St. Paul’s Chapel, to hear divine service. (Annals of Congress, Vol 1, p. 25, April 27, 1789; available online at Library of Congress.)

Prayer was the first act of the joint Congress of the United States! What a blessing! How encouraging!

Do you know the chilling irony? St. Paul’s Chapel in New York City is the same church used for triage at Ground Zero on and after September 11, 2001!

Now is the time for us to get back to our Founding Fathers prayerful foundation. Please join me in praying for our beloved country, our leaders, our upcoming leaders. Your vote and prayers count.

This anointed prayer of George Washington appears on a plaque in St. Paul ’s chapel in New York City. Although it’s a little fancy to read, may our hearts echo this prayer for our wonderful country.

Almighty God,

We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy Holy protection; and Thou wilt incline the hearts of the Citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to Government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow Citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who have served in the Field.

And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with… humility…and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Reflect:

–How do you feel about our Founding Fathers faith?

–How will you respond?

Renew:

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and will heal their land.” –2 Chronicles 7:14

“For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” –Isaiah 9:6

Resource:

Barton, David. Original Intent, p. 113. New York Advertiser.

Cahn, Jonathan. The Harbinger.

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0209/st_pauls/online_extra.html

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